ISA Board Certified Master Arborist exam temporarily suspended

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is temporarily suspending the administration of the current Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) exam as of June 1, 2015. Based on the organization’s dedication to quality programs, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction, the ISA Board decided to suspend the BCMA program to allow time to work on improving the overall exam experience and provide a more fluid transition to a new exam.

“ISA is committed to quality and our goal is to provide the best program for the industry,” states Jim Skiera, ISA’s executive director. A new exam will allow ISA to better accommodate the global reach of the BCMA credential.

“We realize that this decision affects our members and Certified Arborists, but we are dedicated to offering flexibility for BCMA candidates and continuing to serve those who already hold the credential.”

Individuals currently holding the BCMA credential will not be affected and will be able to continue to earn CEUs to maintain their credential. Those individuals who are already in the test-taking process will be most affected.

Applicants will be given three options: 1) take the current exam within your scheduled time-frame, 2) wait and take the new exam when it is launched, or 3) request their money back for the exam application. No new applications or retake forms will be accepted for the current exam after May 31, 2015.

The exam review process will be based on best practices and standards for test development applicable to all ISA certification exam programs. Restructuring of the exam is estimated to take a minimum of six months. The targeted launch of a new and improved BCMA exam is set for late 2015.